‘Aust. Hopes To Maintain Copper Supplies To N.Z.'

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30952, 7 January 1966, Page 10

‘Aust. Hopes To Maintain Copper Supplies To N.Z.'

Australia hoped it would be able to maintain supplies of copper to New Zealand, said the Australian Trade Commissioner in the South Island (Mr M. G. B. Coultas) yesterday. He was commenting on unusually high prices

for copper on the London Metal Exchange in recent weeks, caused by a world copper shortage. Mr Coultas said Australian copper prices had been considerably lower than London exchange prices. He did not know whether that would ■ continue. “The supply situation will be tight,” said Mr Coultas. “But we hope that supplies [to New Zealand will not be I affected. The crucial word (must be ‘hope.’ One just j can't tell. I “There has been a general i ban on exports of copper from Australia, but it is not expected that this ban will affect New Zealand copper imports from Australia.” Mr Coultas said that in December, 1964, the Australian Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr McEwen) had announced special consideration for maintaining copper supplies to New Zealand. “Naturally that is open to review at any time,” said Mr Coultas. “But to the best of our knowledge, we would hope that supplies would still be forthcoming.”

The heating manager of E. J. Adcock and Sons, sheet metal workers (Mr R. C. Henderson), said the supplies of copper sheet were already grim. “It is very embarrassing as far as we are concerned,” he said. “The price is up, so that is less quantity we get on our licences. There are people in a bigger way than us who will be screaming before long. “Someone will suffer—probably someone will get a pretty nasty knock before long. They will just have to let the stuff in—that is all there is to it.” Mr Henderson said no-one in Christchurch had any copper or brass supplies.